1. Study Strategies That Work!
Welcome to Study Strategies that Work!
WE will cover several areas starting with the study environment, followed by testing anxieties and techniques.
Amy Ingram
Graduation Coach
Ext

2. The Environment *Create a “School Zone” at home*
Location
Need a dedicated, consistent space.
Must have a timer or clock.
Have all necessary supplies in your “School Zone”
Ambience
Get rid of distractions such as cell phones, computers, tv, radio, noise, and people.
Monitoring: Learning how to study is new for middle schoolers and they need assistance while learning. Like riding a bicycle for the first time…they need someone beside them until they get the hang of it. You can let go for a few seconds while grabbing hold again. When you do let go, they will fall. You need to be there to provide support to get them back on. When they do get a hang on it, occassionally they will go a little too fast and fall. We must be there to provide them to support to pick them back up when they do fall.

3. . Monitor Time Management Adult must monitor consistently.
Schedule mini breaks between assignments. (Ex:10 minutes on, 3 minutes off)
Time Management
Use a large monthly calendar to write down ALL activities and due dates.
Block off study time in advance.
Estimate how long each assignment will take before beginning and create your “TO DO” list.
Prioritize your assignments (Start with most difficult assignment or the assignments that are due the next day).
Even when you don’t have much homework, spend 5-10 minutes reviewing that day’s notes or checking ANGEL for upcoming assignments.

4. Self-Assess
Find out what your study habits are like and get some suggestions at:
Printable to do lists, student study schedules, etc.

5. Testing Anxieties Physical Signs: Behavioral Signs: Emotional Signs:
Cognitive Signs:
headaches
nausea
light-head
sweating
rapid heart beat
fidgeting
pacing
fear
anger
depression
helplessness
racing thoughts
mental blocks
negative self-thought

6. How to Cope…
Become Prepared
Positive Attitude
Relaxation Techniques
Test Taking Skills

7. Become prepared…
Many anxieties come from the fact that the student has not studied and they realize it!
Be an ACTIVE studier - simply re-reading the chapter and other information is PASSIVE studying
Use distributed practice - review every night of the week, even if there isn’t a quiz or test coming up
Ask questions before the test! Come in early for extra help sessions.
Create a study plan
Identify study techniques that work for your student.
Teach them how to self-monitor/self-reflect.

8. Positive Attitude… Positive self-talk.
Mini-breaks scheduled after completing assignments.
Example: If I finish these 5 problems I can get up and get a snack.
Rewards for success.
Positive self-talk.
If a negative thought enters your mind, turn it around and
"Be here now"
When you notice your thoughts wandering astray, say to yourself "Be here now“ and gently bring your attention back to where you want it.
Worry Time
Set aside time to discuss your child’s worries & discuss them.

9. Relaxation Techniques…
Rituals
Deep breathing
Muscle relaxation
Visualization
Meditation

10. Test-Taking Skills… Questions to ask when the teacher schedules the test!
REASON FOR THE QUESTION
When will the test be?
This lets you know how much time you have to prepare.
What type of test will it be (essay, multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank)?
This will tell you how to study for the test.
Will there be a review in class?
Teachers often have a review for the test in class either in a special study session before or after school.
Will there be a study guide or a review worksheet for the test.
A study guide or a review worksheet can be a big help to prepare for an upcoming test.
Will this be an open-book test?
On open-book tests you can use your textbook or your notes to help answer questions.
Will there be any questions about information from the lecture that is not in the book?
Often the teacher will talk to the class about ideas that are not covered in the textbook. Make sure you have all the information in your notes.
How much time will be given to finish the test?
This will let you know how fast you have to work.

11. Test-Taking Skills… How do I Prepare for the test?
When studying: RECITE, WRITE, VISUALIZE
RECITE
Describe or explain topics aloud; put in your own words
Teach the information to someone else
Engage in a simulation or role play

12. WRITE
Make chapter study review cards
Use a set of flashcards (vocabulary, definitions,
VISUALIZE
Close my eyes and “picture in my mind” any chart, diagram, word, map, event, time period, scene, experiment, or character that I am trying to remember

13. Test-Taking Skills… During the test
Come up with the answer in your head before you read the choices, then………
Read all of the choices, then………
Eliminate the wrong answers.
Pace yourself if the test is timed.
Double check each answer.
Use the test as a source to get information for questions

14. Vocabulary Strategy #1 Vocabulary Word Draw a picture
(front of index card)
(back of index card)
Vocabulary Word
Draw a picture
Definition Synonym
Use in sentence

16. Vocabulary Strategy #2
Choose 4 vocabulary words and place them into each part of the circle.
Describe what the 4 words have in common.
Describe how the 4 words fit in with the content.

18. Vocabulary Strategy #3 List…all the terms being studied.
Group…divide the terms into 3 or 4 groups based on similarities.
Label…each group.

21. Example: King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk
Mnemonic Strategy
Association- link to something
Imagination- be creative
Location- how you arrange your images, words, etc.
AIL
Acronyms (colors of the rainbow in sequence)
Example: ROY G BIV
Acrostics (prefixes for metric system)
Example: King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk

23. Graphic Organizers Use with study guides.
Identify the content from the study guides.
Apply the content to a variety of graphic organizers.
Show what you really know.

27. Gathering Information from Text
Five Finger Strategy
SQ3R
Two-Column Notes

28. Five Finger Strategy Read Title (provides main idea).
Look at bold words & write them down.
Take a picture walk. (How do these pictures relate to title?)
Write down headings & subheadings.
Create an outline.
Turn them into questions.
Read 1st paragraph and last paragraph.
Provides introduction & conclusion.

30. SQ3R
SURVEY: Record important titles, subtitles, pictures, vocabulary words that you read from print.
QUESTION: Ask yourself…the 5W’s, what do I already know, or what do the vocabulary words mean?
READ: Write answers to the questions above.
RECITE: Record key facts and phrases as needed.
REVIEW: Create a summary paragraph for each question, an outline of the chapter, or graphic organizer.

31. Sticky Notes

32. Contact Information:
Amy Ingram, Graduation Coach
ext
Mandy Malcolm, School Counselor
ext